Bill > HB871

This bill modifies Maryland's healthcare regulations to expand the definition of "community benefit" to include a community health worker workforce program. Specifically, the bill allows nonprofit hospitals to partner with community-based organizations to establish programs that deploy community health workers—trusted frontline public health workers who serve as liaisons between health services and communities. These workers aim to improve health outcomes by facilitating access to services, providing community education, offering social support, and advocating for patients. The bill outlines that such partnerships can be formalized through a memorandum of understanding that must include details like program design, patient health outcome goals, implementation procedures, evaluation criteria, and data management protocols. The program's primary purpose is to provide services to hospital patients that improve health outcomes and address social determinants of health. Additionally, the bill provides flexibility in how these partnerships are structured, including provisions for potential health insurance coverage for community health workers and allowing nonprofit hospitals to provide financial support to community organizations to increase their administrative capacity for participating in these programs. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0871?ys=2025RS